The Airport Authority is closely monitoring the Faleolo international airport as cases of the Novel coronavirus-19 continues to spread across the region with Samoa having one suspected case. 

The Samoa Airport Authority (S.A.A.) Chief Executive Officer, Silimanai Ueta Solomona said the airport’s operation is normal to date and the border is being monitored. 

“We haven’t received any news [to close border] and currently the Air New Zealand is on the ground and about to leave for Auckland,” Silmanai said in an interview with Samoa Observer. 

Asked about members of the public gathering at the airport, the C.E.O. said the public have taken heed of the advice to limit number of people going to Faleolo. 

“The number of people at the airport has reduced and people have adhere to our advise,” he said. 

A public notice from the Airport Authority urged members of the public to allow one person to pick up or drop off travelers as precautionary measures for the Novel coronavirus-19. 

“The public is encouraged to bid farewell in the comfort of their homes and have one person drop or pick up the traveler(s).”

In terms of the Government’s travel advisory cutting the number of incoming flights to the country, the authority has kept their staff on duty. 

Silimanai said there are positions that still needs to be manned and the number of working staff has not been reduced. 

“We are reviewing and monitoring the situation and if there are no flights then staffs will take their days off,” he added.